On Jan. 8 medical cannabis patients shared a unique sense of community as they boarded the “canna-crawl bus” for a day-long trip to various licensed dispensaries across Baltimore County, Maryland. They were taken to Chesacanna and KIP in Cockeysville, that will have its grand opening this weekend, Your Farmacy in Lutherville-Timonium, where patients had the opportunity to medicate upstairs at the Holistic Wellness Center of Towson and Blair Wellness in Towson.

Their itinerary included shopping for products ranging from pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes to balms and oils. They also got to enjoy discounts, specials and, in some cases, free goodie bags filled with goodies and informational packets

The crawlers also had the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with the staff members of the dispensaries to discuss about their medical condition, symptoms and treatment options. The trip also allowed them the chance to bond with other patients, some of whom were already friends online through different social media platforms and cannabis related Facebook pages, groups and numerous events held across the state.

“If you can find someone to help you, it’s a much nicer journey,” Cyndi Stallings toldThe Baltimore Sun. “I felt so alone in this,” Theresa “Tree” Themelis, of Perry Hall, added. “This is something I always felt like I had to hide.”

Green Leaf Medical, a Frederick, Maryland-based cultivator of medical cannabis, sponsored the event and will sponsor a similar “canna-crawl” event at Montgomery County dispensaries on Jan. 17, according to Eric Berman, the grower’s business development official. He said his company supports the idea of the crawl so that patients can make contacts and learn more about what’s available in the cannabis market.

Brandon Bevins, who boarded the “canna-crawl” bus to meet new people, said the event represents the community’s willingness to “look where others won’t” for comfort and guidance. “We’re pioneers,” he said. “There’s just such good energy here.”